Pass the CompTIA A+ 220-1102 Questions and answers with CertsForce

The correct answer is Administrative Tools (Option D), which provides access to several system utilities, including those needed for managing system files and settings. Since the user already has local administrator privileges, this would allow them to edit system properties efficiently.

File Explorer Options (Option A) manage general file display settings but do not provide administrative access.

Ease of Access (Option B) is related to accessibility settings, not file management.

Indexing Options (Option C) control how files are indexed for search, but are unrelated to system file editing.

CompTIA A+ Core 2 References:

1.3 - Use features and tools of the Windows operating system, including Administrative Tools​​.

The first step is to disconnect external storage (Option A). Sometimes, the system may be attempting to boot from an external drive or USB device instead of the internal hard drive. By removing the external storage, the system will attempt to boot from the correct drive.

Flashing the BIOS (Option B) is more complex and typically unnecessary for this issue.

Replacing the SATA cable (Option C) may help if there's a hardware issue, but it's not the first troubleshooting step.

Turning on the device in safe mode (Option D) would not work if no operating system is detected.

CompTIA A+ Core 2 References:

5.1 - Apply troubleshooting methodologies, including steps for resolving boot issues​​.

In the event of a security breach, documenting the incident is crucial for tracking, analysis, and resolution. The appropriate steps should ensure thorough documentation and communication:

Option A: Record the details in the ticketing system.Correct Answer. The ticketing system is the primary tool for IT support to track incidents. Recording the details in the ticketing system ensures that all relevant information is documented systematically, can be easily accessed, and tracked through the resolution process.

This aligns with best practices in incident documentation and support systems information management as outlined in the CompTIA A+ Core 2 (220-1102) Exam Objectives, Section 4.1​​.

Option B: Take screenshots and attach them to the root cause analysis.While screenshots can be useful, the first step should be to record the details in the ticketing system. Screenshots may be added later as supplementary information.

Option C: Discuss the incident with the company’s legal team.Involving the legal team is important for certain aspects of a security breach, but the initial step should still be to document the incident in the ticketing system.

When a system administrator discovers a user's PC running slowly with 100% CPU utilization, it often indicates that the system is being used for unauthorized purposes, such as being part of a botnet attack. Here’s why:

Botnet attack: Botnets are networks of computers infected with malware and controlled by an attacker. These infected computers (bots) are often used to carry out tasks like sending spam or participating in Distributed Denial of Service (DDoS) attacks. The high CPU utilization and resource usage indicate that the computer might be performing tasks dictated by the botnet controller.

Firewall activities: While firewall activities can use some resources, they generally do not cause sustained high CPU utilization.

DDoS attack: DDoS attacks target external systems by overwhelming them with traffic. A system participating in a DDoS might have high network usage, but the primary symptom on the user’s PC would be high network activity, not necessarily CPU usage.

Keylogger attack: Keyloggers record keystrokes and generally do not cause high CPU utilization. They are more stealthy and have minimal resource footprints.

When an organization refuses to pay the ransom for a decryption key after a ransomware attack, and all traces of the infection have been removed, the next critical step is:

Restore critical data from backup: This is the most effective way to recover from a ransomware attack without paying the ransom. Assuming the organization has good backup practices, the backups should be free from infection and can be restored to get the systems operational again.

Scan all of the infected files with up-to-date, anti-malware cleaning software: This step is important during the infection removal process but does not address restoring the encrypted files.

Fully patch the server operating systems hosting the fileshares: While this is necessary to prevent future attacks, it does not recover the encrypted files.

Change the files to be read-only: This will not help recover the encrypted data.

RADIUS (Remote Authentication Dial-In User Service) (Option B) is a network protocol that allows users to authenticate using their network credentials, such as usernames and passwords, typically stored in a central directory like Active Directory. It ensures that users can log in to the Wi-Fi using their existing network credentials.

AES (Option A) is an encryption standard but does not handle authentication.

TKIP (Option C) is a deprecated encryption protocol and not related to network login management.

WPA3 (Option D) is the latest Wi-Fi security standard but does not specifically handle centralized login management like RADIUS does.

CompTIA A+ Core 2 References:

2.2 - Compare and contrast wireless security protocols and authentication methods, including RADIUS​​.

The nslookup command is a network administration tool used for querying the Domain Name System (DNS) to obtain domain name or IP address mapping or for any other specific DNS record. It's the most direct way to verify if a PC can resolve a website's domain name to its IP address.  

Here's why the other options are not the primary tools for this task:

B. hostname: This command displays the hostname of the computer.

C. tracert: This command traces the route packets take to reach a specific destination. It can help identify network connectivity issues but doesn't directly test DNS resolution.

D. netstat: This command displays active network connections and listening ports. It's not used for DNS troubleshooting.

How to use nslookup:

Open a command prompt.

Type nslookup (e.g., nslookup google.com) and press Enter.

The output will show the DNS server used and the IP address(es) associated with the website.

If the command returns an error or doesn't show an IP address, it indicates a problem with DNS resolution.

Malware infections are commonly prevented by having updated endpoint protection software (antivirus/antimalware). Keeping this software updated ensures it can detect and remove the latest threats effectively before they cause damage. Restore points and preinstallation environments are recovery methods but do not prevent malware infections. Disabling System Restore removes the ability to roll back system changes, which is counterproductive. Endpoint protection software is a fundamental security control in Core 2 security domains and is critical in maintaining system integrity and preventing infections. Regular updates to antivirus definitions and endpoint software are a proactive defense aligned with security best practices covered in the official CompTIA materials.

Enabling an allow list (Option D) will limit access to the wireless network by only allowing devices with specified MAC addresses to connect. This is an effective method for minimizing Wi-Fi access in a crowded environment.

Port forwarding (Option A) controls traffic through specific ports but doesn't minimize wireless access.

Unused ports (Option B) could refer to physical network ports or firewall settings, unrelated to controlling Wi-Fi access.

Disabling SSID broadcast (Option C) might hide the network name but doesn't secure access.

CompTIA A+ Core 2 References:

2.9 - Configure security settings for SOHO networks, including MAC filtering .

When dealing with an angry customer, active listening and empathy are crucial. Even if the technician believes the issue has been resolved, the customer’s concerns must be acknowledged professionally.

Option A (Incorrect): Insisting that the customer is correct and simply documenting the concern does not resolve the issue. The technician should aim to engage with the customer constructively.

Option B (Incorrect): While listening is important, completely staying silent without engaging in a discussion does not help in resolving the issue.

Option C (Incorrect): Escalating the issue immediately without attempting to resolve it first is not the best approach unless all other options fail.

Option D (Correct): Apologizing and asking what would help resolve the issue demonstrates empathy and professionalism. It helps defuse the situation and allows for an opportunity to find a mutually acceptable solution.

CompTIA A+ Core 2 Reference:

220-1102 Exam Objective 4.3 – Explain the importance of professionalism, including empathy, active listening, and proper documentation.

When a technician is unable to connect to a laptop over a VPN, one of the most common reasons is that the firewall settings on either the laptop or the network are blocking the connection.

Wireless protocol: Unrelated, as the technician is already connected to the VPN.

DHCP pool: Unlikely to be the issue, as it deals with IP address assignment.

Content filtering: Typically involves filtering web content, not affecting direct connections.

Firewall: The correct setting to review, as it may block the necessary ports or services required for remote access.

In change management, the scope of a project lists all the changes that are taking place. The scope ensures that all team members understand the boundaries and extent of the project, helping to prevent unexpected changes. Here’s a

Scope: Defines the project's boundaries and deliverables, including all the planned changes. It ensures that everyone involved understands what is included and excluded in the project, minimizing unexpected changes.

Risk analysis: Identifies potential risks and their impact but does not list the changes.

Rollback plan: Provides a strategy for reverting changes if something goes wrong but does not list changes.

Review: Involves evaluating changes but does not compile the list of changes.

Detailed Explanation with Core 2 References:SSH allows for remote access to systems securely and discretely, suitable for verifying patch levels and other administrative tasks. This meets Core 2 objectives on using secure remote access tools (Core 2 Objective 4.9)​.